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Select Committee · Defence Committee

UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific

Status: Closed Opened: 31 Jan 2022 Closed: 24 Jan 2024 11 recommendations 2 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry will examine the UK’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific region, as set out in the Integrated Review. The region is widely recognised as being of growing importance. The inquiry will assess UK Defence’s standing in the region. The inquiry will also look at the UK’s potential routes to strengthening its relationships in the region, …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific HC 183 24 Oct 2023 13 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
3 Recommendation Eleventh Report - UK Defence and the In… Accepted in Part

Consolidate closer Indo-Pacific military cooperation and basing efforts into one strategy

The UK’s regional military presence in the Indo-Pacific remains limited and the strategy to which it contributes is unclear. This contrasts to both the US—a global and Pacific power—and to France–a more comparable actor to the UK in terms of geography, scale, and military capability. Without a larger permanent presence …

Government response. The government accepts the recommendation to deepen cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific but rejects publishing a dedicated cross-government strategy, referencing existing strategic documents. It describes ongoing cooperation and existing military presence without committing to increasing or rebalancing resources as …
Ministry of Defence
4 Recommendation Eleventh Report - UK Defence and the In… Accepted in Part

Set out detailed plan for SSN-AUKUS submarines on cost, skills, and production

We welcome the announcement of the SSN-AUKUS class submarine, including the increased port visits and the Rotational Force, in maintaining a coherent regional presence. The UK must, however, be realistic and cognisant of the significant hurdles for all AUKUS partners in constructing nuclear-powered submarines. A fundamental challenge is the continuing …

Government response. The government partially rejects the request for a detailed plan on AUKUS submarine costs and numbers, stating these decisions will be made in due course. However, it accepts the recommendation on skills, announcing a Nuclear Skills Taskforce to address workforce …
Ministry of Defence
5 Recommendation Eleventh Report - UK Defence and the In… Accepted in Part

Expand AUKUS Pillar 2 for supply chain security; consider involving other nations

AUKUS offers a tangible opportunity to respond to growing tensions in the Indo- Pacific. Through Pillar 1 AUKUS, the UK can tackle shared challenges together with our allies, with the goal of upholding the rules-based order. Moreover, Pillar 2 offers an immediate avenue for developing the UK’s defence capabilities, and …

Government response. The government partially agrees, stating it already monitors supply chains and supports the Critical Minerals Strategy. It commits to engaging with allies on Pillar II as it matures but defers expansion to additional partners as they are not yet in …
Ministry of Defence

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
17 Jan 2023 Brigadier (ret.) Ben Barry · International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), John Hemmings · Pacific Forum, Seth Jones · Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Veerle Nouwens · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) View ↗
6 Sep 2022 Dr Marcus Hellyer · Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Dr Rob Yates · University of Bristol, Mr Ben Bland · Chatham House (Asia-Pacific Programme), Professor Rory Medcalf · The Australian National University View ↗
7 Jun 2022 Meia Nouwens · International Institute for Strategic Studies, Professor Alessio Patalano · Kings College London, Department of War Studies, Professor Steve Tsang · SOAS China Institute View ↗